Bomber radio question

SHAEF1944 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2014 1:49 pm

I keep running across references to " Radio Set type V "
Radio V Equipment is listed in TO&E of heavy bomber squadron, 1943
MOS's include Radio Observer ( V) and ( V-1 ) --- Radio Mechanic ( V )

Does anyone know just what the Radio Set Type V is and was used for ?
I'm wildly guessing a Brit knock-off, since the nomenclature is nothing like the US designations, but I cannot find any info on just exactly what this equipment is.

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2014 2:09 pm

OK, WWII aircraft radios are not my field but could the V mean a VHF radio, such as the VHF Command Radio SCR-522-A, which was, I think, derived from the British TR1143 set. One source says that these sets were installed in lead bombers in the second half of 1943 and eventually all B-17, B-24 and B-26 types to allow fighter to bomber radio contact. Over to the experts.

Randy

SHAEF1944 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 12:38 am

Thanks Randy. I'm leaning more to thinking it may be some sort of radar instead of comm. set ... since the operator is described as " Observer ".
Nomenclature sure does not fit anything I can find.

JDK · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:19 am

Interesting question. Is that a USAAF use of the term 'Observer"? I ask as the British RAF and RN FAA had Observers.

Beats me, but could it be early ECM, somewhere between radio and radar? Does any of this look possible? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wo ... _equipment

The following seems to offer V M F & I options, so Alpha, not Roman (not I, II, III IV V etc.).

884 Radio Observer Radio Set type V
885 Radio Observer Radio Set type M
886 Radio Mechanic Radio Set type I
887 Radio Mechanic Radio Set type V
888 Radio Mechanic Radio Set type F
889 Radio Mechanic Radio Set type M
http://www.coulthart.com/134/mos.htm

Regards,

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:13 am

You might want to give a link or show an example of the sources that list the equipment as Type V. That might help someone more up on communications gear. I did find this document online that might be of some use to you or others.

https://archive.org/details/GraphicSurveyOfRadioAndRadarEquipmentUsedByTheArmyAirForces

Randy

SHAEF1944 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:46 pm

Think we MAY have figured it out ...
I think it refers to a British-based radar set ... ASV Mark V ( Air-Sea )
American nomenclature for the radio set was SCR-517. This was basically an American built copy of the British Mk. III ASV radar set.

SCR-517-A, SCR-517-B or ASC-1, and SCR-517-C Microwave ASV Sets
Airborne microwave search sets for installation in patrol bombers.
Range and azimuth are provided on PPI scope in SCR-517-B or ASC-1,
and on B scopes in other models. Sets have provisions for IFF.

SCR-517-A and SCR-517-C are installed in B-17, B-18, B-24, B-25,
and B-34 planes. Average installed weight is 600 lbs. In B-17 and
B-25, the antenna is housed in retractable ventral turret replacing
the gun turret. In the B-34, a new opening for antenna housing
is cut in the fuselage under the upper gun turret, which can no
longer be used. SCR-517-B is installed in B-24.

Another clue .... Looking in my AAF Manual 35-1, dated 3 April 1944, Military Personnel Classification, in the " MOSs Unauthorized for AAF Use ", there is MOS 884 Radio Observer V.
The replacement for this MOS : " Authorized MOS recommended " is 866 Radar Observer, Sea Search.
" Operates and performs first echelon maintenance on Radio sets and equipment SCR-517\717 ... "

So the Radio Observer V MOS was replaced by a Radar Observer, Sea Search MOS ( which the job description in the manual states operated the US/SCR-517--- British Mark V ) ... makes sense to me the earlier " V " was a sea-search radar.
Also, the equipment and personnel in TO&E 1-117 Squadron Heavy Bombardment for " V Radio Equipment " is by War Department authorization only, I assume it was only assigned to squadrons which were detailed for anti-sub /sea-search duties.

JDK · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:29 pm

Sounds like you've got it.

From here: http://www.ausairpower.net/SP/DT-Early- ... c-2010.pdf

"The first ASW radar deployed was the 10 centimetre
S-band SCR-517, derived from the SCR-520 air
intercept radar, and fitted to modified Army Air
Corps B-24 patrol bombers from early 1942. These
were also supplied to the Royal Air Force as the
ASV Mark V radar."

Think dates and process fit?

SHAEF1944 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:45 pm

Yessir, I think it all fits .... earlier TO&E's have no mention of Type V Radio Equipment or personnel, and later ones omit this and it is replaced in the squadron TO&E by Radar Equipment ( LAB ) ...

" Although H2X was inaccurate, a variation on the theme for antiship attack, known as "Low Altitude Bombing (LAB)" proved able to drop bombs precisely on target. It was, after all, a simpler task, since a large vessel in normal seas presents a much more distinct radar target than a city.

Bell Labs began work on LAB in July 1942. In itself, LAB, which was formally designated the "AN/APQ-5", was a control system that could be integrated with various types of centimetric radars. LAB was integrated with the aircraft's autopilot and bomb-release system. On the attack run, the bombardier kept the radar on target and synchronized with the aircraft's flight speed by turning knobs. A horizontal line moved up the PPI display as the aircraft moved toward the target, and the bombs were automatically released when the line met the target centered in the display.

The first aircraft carrying preproduction LABs, modified Consolidated Liberators known as "Snoopers", reached service in the South Pacific in August 1943. They used LAB with the new SCR-717 radar, and the system proved extremely effective, with bombers roaring in on Japanese ships in the night at a few hundred meters and blowing them out of the water. "

So in the TO&E's an advanced air-sea radar replaces the " Type V ", and personnel MOS is dropped for " Radio Observer V " and replaced by Radar Observer, Sea Search.

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